The Centre will consider increasing the quota of hill states in para military forces to provide avenues to their opportunity-starved youths, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said. Making the announcement at a programme celebrating Dussehra in Almora on Tuesday, Rijiju said providing roads and other infrastructural facilities to people in border areas was the Centre’s priority.

Acknowledging the fact that a large number of people from Uttarakhand join the armed forces, he said the state had done the country proud by giving it brave soldiers ready to make the supreme sacrifice for their nation.

Impressed by the grand Dussehra Mahotsav in Almora, he said it reflected the state’s rich cultural heritage.

Union Minister of State for Textiles Ajay Tamta, who accompanied Rijiju, made a request for redeployment of an ITBP brigade at Bimaula and setting up an ITBP motor driving centre at Deoli in the district.

Speaking at the Mahotsav, Chief Minister Harish Rawat said the celebration was a shining example of communal amity in which people from different communities including Muslims and Punjabis participate with great fervour.

“The Mahotsav is attracting tourists also bringing people from different communities together.

“More and more Muslims and Punjabis are taking part in the Ramlilas performed as part of the celebrations,” he said.